A flashback to heritage

Musical instruments used in yesteryear now on display at Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Sangrahashala at Mymensingh evinced keen interest among art lovers and cultural personalities. PHOTO: STAR

Nabab and Co, a shop of musical instruments in the town, arranged the exhibition at the Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Sangrahashala (art gallery).

A total of 42 musical instruments, some of which are not in use nowadays, include Eshraj, Sharinda, Surlehari, Sharengi, Surbahar, Shanai, Nakara.

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"My grandfather had started collecting old musical instruments when he had set up the shop in 1944", said Rezaul Karim Aslam, grandson of Nabab Ali.

"He bought those from different areas of the country over the years".

A large number of art-loving people, cultural personalities and students visit the gallery everyday to see the rare collections.

Such instruments were used by learners of classical music. Some date back to 16th and 17th centuries, Aslam said.

Sharengi (an ancient instrument), Eshraj, Sharinda and Surleahar are not used as these need hard training and practice to learn, he said.

Talking to this correspondent, artist Nazile Ashraf, director of Mymensingh Sangeet Bidddyalaya, said many types of instruments used earlier in our country have gone into oblivion because of lack of interest.

Cultural personality Shahadat Hossain Khan Hilu said the exhibition reminds us of the rich culture in the sub-continent.

"It was beyond my imagination that the exhibition will draw such huge crowds every day, including art-lovers and cultural personalities", said Aslam.

Deputy Keeper of the gallery Dr Bijoy Krishna Banik said artists from home and abroad and guests visited the exhibition and highly praised the effort to preserve the heritage.

Nowab Ali is alive but could not come to the exhibition venue due to old age.